Message 11 of 12
Posted by member Simon Papendick on Saturday 4 July 2020

Hi Lawrence,

Could you please contact me about your bottom treatment on your Pilot 20.

Regards
Simon Papendick
J-Star Marine Services
Mob 07534045729

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Message 9 of 12
Posted by member Richard Stewart on Tuesday 30 June 2020

Hi Simon,
I asked because I am building another 20ft boat and the area under the cockpit floor I have filled with two part close cell foam that does not take on water.
In order to install it you have to cut some holes into the cockpit floor with a 60mm hole saw.
Then mix the two parts and quickly pour into the holes.
This allows the foam to expand and come out of the holes, so no damage from the expansion pressure and also to allow you to see that you have added enough.
Then just trimback the excess and replace the plug you cut out with the hole saw and glass over.
You can calculate how much you need because a 1kg weight of liquid foam produces approx 1 square foot of foam, so keeps wastage down.
The foam then stops any water ingress and acts as bouyancy.
It is now a widely used practice and cuts out condensation etc under enclosed panels.
Thanks
Richard

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Message 7 of 12
Posted by member Lawrence Puckett on Tuesday 30 June 2020

Funnily enough I had the same thought about expanding foam but thought there would be reasons not to which Simon has confirmed. Simon I noticed you left your number in one of the messages. Would you mind if I gave you a call at somepoint to discuss if you're happy to? Thanks

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Message 5 of 12
Posted by member Peter Cox on Tuesday 30 June 2020

I'm not familiar with the expanding foam especially for boats but make sure that the foam is the closed cell type. Many years ago I heard that someone had filled his sailing yacht's mast with foam for some reason and wondered why the boat had become unstable. Turned out that the foam was open cell and had absorbed water by capillary action, leaving the whole mast full of water! If you want to ensure buoyancy, put a lot of empty plastic bottles in there.

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Message 3 of 12
Posted by member Lawrence on Monday 29 June 2020

Hi Simon

That's fantastic, can tell I'm amongst the right people for advice. I've got a lot to learn!

As far as I can tell it's where exactly where you say it is. I unscrewed it and stuck my hand in for a feel around. It was very damp and mucky with a slight soft spot in one place . Obviously my reach inside was limited. I don't think its caused major damage as the cockpit floor is still stable and not spongy but it's still got me a bit concerned.

In the future I'm sure I could consider putting an inspection hatch in as I'm quite mechanically able.

Obviously it would be difficult to say unless you saw for yourself but do you think in your experience this should be cause for concern?

Please forgive any boat ignorance as I'm a complete newbie

Thanks

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Message 1 of 12
Posted by member Lawrence on Monday 29 June 2020

Hi have recently become the owner of a 1989 Hardy 20ft family pilot boat. She is a beautiful boat. I have a question which will probably be the first of many.
By the transom inside the boat near the engine (outboard) well there is a circular plastic cap that unscrews and opens up into a void/ cavity within the hull. I believe it is to do with the strength of the hull or for extra flotation should the hull be breached.

My only concern is it's very damp inside which does not entirely surprise me since its location means over the years water would likely of been able to enter it. My main concern is it could of caused internal damage.

Has anyone had a similar experience or any knowledge of this and its exact function?

I've had a look about and can't find anything about it.

Many thanks

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